Author: Debra Goldstein

My Road to Fiction by Bryan Gruley I have wanted to be a novelist for as long as I can remember. I started dreaming about writing chapter books when I was reading Hardy Boys mysteries in second grade. But I didn’t publish my first novel until I was 51 years old. That was ten years …

What Cozies Are About for Me by Angela M. Sanders Until recently, I valued cozies as what they aren’t. They aren’t too disturbing or cruel. Even the murders are easy to stomach, especially surrounded by such warm and engaging characters. Cozies allow me to get away from the pain of the real world, which—in my …

An Interview With Anastasia Pollack of the Anastasia Pollack Crafting Mystery Series by Lois Winston Tell us a little bit about yourself: Some people crave the spotlight. Me? I’m a private person who would prefer to live a quiet middle-class life on my quiet middle-class street in a quiet middle-class suburban New Jersey town. My …

‘Tis the season to give it up for Frankenstein by Pat H. Broeske As a longtime Hollywood journalist with special interest in genre films and TV, I’ve gotten to interview a slew of famous frightmeisters – Vincent Price, Stephen King, George A. Romero, John Carpenter and Jamie Lee Curtis instantly come to mind – so …

An Interview with Carrie Singleton by Marilyn Levinson Carrie, how did you end up living in Clover Ridge, CT? When I was young, my brother and I spent summers at my father’s family farm outside of Clover Ridge, CT. I had fond memories of those days. After college, I got a degree in library science …

It’s All About How You Tell the Story by Leslie Karst Like Debra—the host of this fabulous blog—my career before becoming a mystery author was in the legal profession. I spent twenty years as a civil attorney specializing in research and appellate work, which was basically akin to writing a term paper every day of …

2018 ANTHONY AWARDS – SHORT STORY – PART TWO by Debra H. Goldstein The Anthony Awards, given for excellence in different aspects of mystery, have been presented at the Bouchercon World Mystery Conference since 1986. The purpose of this two-part blog, which began on Friday, August 19 (http://www.debrahgoldstein.com/2018-anthony-awards-short-stories-part-one-click-comments/) is to provide you with an opportunity …

2018 ANTHONY AWARDS – SHORT STORIES – PART ONE by Debra H. Goldstein Jen Conley – “God’s Gonna Cut You Down” – Just To Watch Them Die: Crime Fiction Inspired by the Songs of Johnny Cash – https://www.jenconley.net/ My story is called, “God’s Gonna Cut You Down.” It was written for the anthology, Just To …

Researching for Authenticity in Historical Fiction by D.J. Niko Researching historical fiction and thrillers with historical themes is a little like going down the rabbit hole: you have to enter another world and come out, sweating and panting, on the other side before you can actually get it. When you research and write about the …

Reading to Recharge by Debra H. Goldstein No deadlines! No responsibility! What was I to do with myself once I turned in the second book for Kensington’s new Sarah Blair cozy mystery series, the final edits for the first book, One Taste Too Many, the synopsis for the third book in the series, and a …

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Our Readers Say …

A Real Whodunit

"Headlines scream: "University of Michigan Co-ed Murdered" and the intrigue and mystery begin. Maze in Blue is a real whodunit and will keep readers guessing until the final pages. - Joyce Norman, Chalet Publishers, LLC

Easy-to-read, Enjoyable, Suspenseful – who is the kikenhai (dangerous tile)

"Should Have Played Poker has a fast-paced plot with short chapters, enjoyable characters and an abundance of red herrings. It touches on issues of aging, family ties, corporate responsibility, and religious tolerance, and culminates in a surprise ending that makes Carrie question most everything she has ever believed in." - Sharon Marchisello - Killer Nashville Book of the Day

As Much a Legal Thriller as a Family Drama – King River Life Magazine

"There are numerous plot threads being woven into this relatively short mystery, and yet all are neatly tied together by its stunning conclusion. ... While the investigations remain the main focus driving the novel, added elements of romance and humor only enhance this thoroughly entertaining novel. Carrie is a very sympathetic character, and despite her traumas she allows herself moments of playfulness and joy. As much a legal thriller as a family drama, readers will find much to enjoy in this new series." - Cynthia Chow - Kings River Life Magazine

A Whodunit and a Self-Discovery Mystery – Writers Who Kill

"Should Have Played Poker is a whodunit, but it is also a self-discovery mystery." E.B. Davis - Writers Who Kill

Enjoyable Story – Terrific Read – Dru’s Book Musings

"This was a very enjoyable story. ... smoothly paced with enough action to keep me delving into all aspects of this intriguing mystery that I could not put down until I knew who the killer was. ... With a loveable cast of characters, good dialogue and a feel good atmosphere, this was a terrific read and I hope there are more stories with Carrie and her friends." Dru Ann Love - Dru's book musings

Page-turning Whodunit

"Pure, page-turning whodunit from the first page to the last" - Mobile Press Register

A Real Winner

"A real winner. Characters leap off the page." - Jean Felts

Should Have Played Poker – Foreward Reviews

This charming mystery novel says those who are always around you make the truest kind of family.